The celebrant looks over in my direction and gives a wave before heading inside. My mother follows her without so much as glancing in my direction. That’s okay, let her be angry at me for not spilling the beans. If it keeps the heat off Presley, then I’m okay with that. I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now.
I guess all this has done is prove Flynn right. People do leave. Even the ones we don’t expect.
Thoughts of him are like a knife twisting in my stomach. No matter how much I reason with myself that it’s not meant to be, my stubborn heart won’t take no for an answer.
If he wanted to be with you, he would have asked you to stay.
I toy with my phone, turning it over and over, mimicking the whirring going on in my head. I swipe across the screen and bring up my inbox, looking at the handy little reminder that the airline emailed me today. I’m less than twenty-four hours away from sand, sun and cocktail-drenched solitude. Less than twenty-four hours away from paradise.
But is it?
I’d wanted to go somewhere beautiful to get my head straight and think about what my next steps should be. Which country would I run to next? What person was I going to be when I got there?
But the more important question is: What kind of person do I want to be now?
The answer comes to me swiftly. I don’t want to be the person who runs forever.
I call the booking number and when the call centre operator answers, I blurt, “I need to cancel my flight.”
My voice shakes as I give her my details, letting go of my escape hatch plans. In two minutes, it’s done. I don’t know what I’m going to do for work or a place to live or anything else...but I’m staying.
I’m going to ask myself to stay.
Because the fact is, I’ve missed my sister. I’ve missed belonging and having a place that felt like something more than temporary. I’ve missed building friendships with the hope that they would last a lifetime. I’ve missed the Aussie weather and Tim Tams and footy and walking along the Yarra in the sunshine.
I’ve missed my home.
I push up from where I’ve been sitting on the raised platform where my sister was supposed to be married, and I dust the dirt from my dress. My bouquet lies on the ground, the delicate white flowers surrounded by a spray of green fronds and leaves. Like everything that my sister chose, it’s classy. Elegant.
And now it means nothing.
My heart aches, not because I think she made the wrong decision—I definitely don’t—but because I know she’s hurting. I want to be here for her. But in order for me to do that, I first need to be here for myself. I need to be enough for myself, before I can be anything for her. Anything for others.
I take a fortifying breath, smelling the jasmine and rich white roses around me, feeling the sunshine on my face. It’s not going to be an easy road, but I feel freer than I would have with sand beneath my toes and a lonely future stretched out in front of me.
The sound of my name roots me to the ground. Flynn. Sunlight bounces off his reddish hair, making his eyes look wild and blue as the open ocean.
“Where to now?” His intense stare is hot enough to melt an iceberg.
“My maid of honour duties have officially ended, which means I’m going home to get out of this fairy floss monstrosity.” I try to keep things light—try to show him that he didn’t shatter my heart. Because really, I have Flynn to thank for a lot. If not for him, I might not have realised how much I’d missed being connected to people. How much I’ve been suffering because I shut people out. “I would say you can get out of your tux, but I imagine you sleep in your suits.”
“You know that’s not true.”
No. He sleeps completely naked and it’s glorious. “You really should wear something when you sleep. It’s good to support your junk.”
“I’m not going to ask how this conversation so quickly devolved to us discussing my ‘junk’, but here we are.” His lip quirks.
“Is everyone gone?”
“Yeah.” Flynn nods. “I called Francis and she arranged for a private car service to collect the bridal party and take them home. My uncle and aunt took Mike.”
“Good.” This house is gorgeous, but it’s in the middle of nowhere. We’re surrounded by beautiful Australian native trees as far as the eye can see. “I’m hoping you saved one of those cars for me. It’s a long hike to the main road in heels.”
“As if I would leave you stranded.” He shoves his hands into his pockets, not looking like he’s in any hurry to leave. “Actually, I wanted to talk before we go.”
“I thought we’d said everything there was to say.” My heart thuds, hope filtering through my veins even as my mind shouts at me to retreat. I know this dance well, and I usually listen to my head. But not anymore.
I want to stay. I want to hope.
“I need to set the record straight.” He squares his shoulders and the action makes him look even bigger and stronger. Even more beautiful. “When I came across that piece of paper with your flight details, I was devastated. Because despite the fact that we kept telling one another that we were a bad match... I don’t feel that way. Being with you doesn’t feel wrong. In fact, it’s the rightest thing I’ve felt for as long as I can remember.”
My knees tremble beneath me. Am I imagining this? Have I fainted from sun stroke and now my brain is playing merciless tricks on me?
“What felt wrong was my assumption that leaving was the end, because I understand now that nothing is permanent. Decisions can be changed and...” Something flicks over his face, an emotion I can’t quite read. “What matters is now. Not what happened before, not what might happen tomorrow. Now. I like you a hell of a lot, Blondie. I like how strong you are, I like your humour and your smile and those killer legs. I like how much you care about your sister and how you’re always up for an adventure. I like that you do your own thing, regardless of what people say. I like that you’re bold and decisive and daring. I like it all.”
I can’t speak. The words won’t form on my tongue as my breath stutters.
“I know you’re leaving tomorrow and that’s your decision. But the ticket is one-way, right? What if you came back after your trip?” His eyes shine and he steps forward, gently pulling me close. I’m unable to express the swirl of emotion dancing like a tornado inside me. “What if you came home?”
He’s asking me to stay. No, he’s doing something even better. He’s giving me the freedom to leave and the option to come back. The option for me to have what I want. Because Flynn isn’t a person who clips people’s wings. Rigid as he might be, this is his way of showing me he’s changed. That he wants to make it work.
The biggest question is: Can I trust him?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Flynn
I WANT TO rough up Drew’s hair. Smudge her makeup. Tear the hem of her dress. Take this polished image and bring the real Drew back out. The real woman who has totally and utterly claimed my heart.
For a man of rules and principles, the most telling thing is that I keep bending for her. I’m becoming flexible. I compromise. I say “just once more” knowing deep in my heart I’ll never say no. Because Drew is everything I never knew I needed—a woman strong enough to change me, to ground me. To give me hope.
In all other cases a one-way ticket would be a closed case. Relationship null and void! But with her... I can’t let go.
“I don’t want to walk away from this,” I say. My voice doesn’t even sound like my own—I’m broken down. Ruined. Emotional roadkill. “What we have... I don’t have a name for it, because I’ve never experienced anything like this before. This is unchartered territory. It’s new and...”
“Terrifying?” she supplies, her big, silvery eyes looking up at me. “Petrifying? Something no smart person would ever willingly do?”
“I’m pouring my heart o
ut and you’re being a smartass.” I can’t help but smile as I shake my head. “Really?”
“It’s a defence mechanism,” she admits sheepishly, pressing a hand to my chest. “I’m much better at being a smartass than I am at dealing with feelings.”
“I would never have guessed that,” I deadpan.
“It’s...how I’ve learned to protect myself. I keep being told that something about me isn’t right, that I need to change, that I’m not...forever material.” There’s a slight tremble in her lip that makes me want to roar at the sky for the people who made her feel this way. But I know that means facing the way I’ve treated her, too. “So I leaned into it. That way it feels like I’m not forever material because I don’t want to be, instead of being rejected when I’m trying. But... I’m not happy pretending to be something I’m not.”
“So don’t pretend.”
“I’m not going to anymore.” I know this new sincerity is precious. Something she doesn’t hand out easily. “Doesn’t mean I’ll stop being a smartass, though, because that is really who I am.”
“And I love it. Your humour is one of the best parts of you.” A breeze pushes past us and it whips a stray platinum curl across her face. With a heart that’s almost bursting for how beautiful she is, I tuck it behind her ear. “I was wondering if there’s something you could do for me tonight.”
“What’s that?”
This part is the most terrifying piece of all. “Gabe and Zoe are back at my place now, and I’d like to introduce you to her.”
She blinks, her eyes glimmering. “Why?”
“Because I realise I’ve been using her as an excuse not to get close to people. I let my family be a barrier to me finding someone, because I’ve spent my whole life assuming people would leave anyway. And that’s a disservice to Zoe, because I should have been introducing her to strong, amazing women who could inspire her.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her voice wobbles and tears fill her eyes.
“Say yes, you’ll come for a drink.”
“Just a drink?” she asks with a watery laugh. “Because we both know what happened the last time it was supposed to be ‘just a drink.’”
“Come for a drink, meet my family properly and then I’ll kick them out so I can have my wicked way with you.” I thumb the edge of her full lips and she shivers in response. “Then I’ll help you pack in the morning.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I really hope you’ll come back to me, Blondie. I don’t want to wake up in ten years’ time regretting that I didn’t tell you how incredible I thought you were, because I know nobody else will even come close to you. I don’t want to fuck this up by hiding behind my rules.”
A fat tear plops onto her cheek and she swipes at it with the back of her hand. “Dammit! I promised myself I wouldn’t let you see me cry a second time.”
“What do you say, huh?” I kiss the shimmering trail left by her tears and taste the salt on her skin. “Come home with me, spend the night in my bed. Have your holiday and then give us a chance.”
“I cancelled it.” Her tears are flowing more freely now, welling and dropping and smudging her mascara.
“Cancelled what?”
“My flight.” Her voice is tight, full of emotion. “I cancelled it because I don’t want to keep running.”
Relief rushes through me like a wave seeking the shoreline and it almost bowls me over. “You’re staying?”
“Uh-huh.” She nods. “I’m done pretending. Done running.”
“I’m that persuasive?” I tease.
She tries to swat me, but I capture her wrists. “Nice try, taking credit for my decision.”
“Blondie, if you tell me you’re staying then I don’t care who helped you come to that conclusion. I owe them everything.” I lower my forehead to hers and her hands curl into my shirt. “Second chances aren’t really my thing. When I screw up, it tends to be permanent.”
“You didn’t screw up. You were protecting your heart,” she says softly, her lips finding mine. She tastes like fruity lip gloss and tears and hope and something that’s a whole lot like love. “We’re two damaged people trying to find our way in the world.”
“I’m so glad you’re staying,” I whisper against her neck. I’m a little overcome, and it’s a new feeling. A terrifying feeling. But I’d rather be scared and working toward something great than hiding like I have been.
“I’m excited to meet Zoe,” she says. “I know what a big deal it is to you and I’m honoured.”
“She’s the best part of our family, trust me.” My heart is so full it wants to burst. “Not like her cranky old uncle.”
“I imagine you’re not the kind of man who inspires halfway feelings with anyone you come across. People will either love you or hate you.” Drew sucks in a breath. “And I don’t feel halfway about you. Not at all.”
“How do you feel about me?”
For a moment she says nothing—she simply draws her lower lip between her teeth and looks at me with such a penetrating stare it’s like she can see right into my heart. Past all the defences I’ve spent years fortifying. Past all my baggage. Past the lies I tell myself. Right through to the little boy I promised I would protect forever against abandonment and pain.
The part of me I’ve exposed now.
“I feel like this could be it.” She swallows. “Like it could be everything.”
“Then let’s not waste a minute.” I kiss her hard and deep, sliding my hands down her spine to cup the sweet curve of her backside, holding her hard against me.
“You can’t even wait until we get home?” She tosses her head back and laughs, her eyes sparkling with mischief like they did the very first night I met her. The moment I was changed forever.
“I almost threw everything away,” I say, kissing her neck and sliding my hand up her thigh. The moment she melts against me I feel like a king. “I’ve got to make sure we don’t waste a minute.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Suit.” She loops her arms around my neck. “Forever is almost enough time for me to do everything I want to do with you.”
“Almost?” I chuckle. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
EPILOGUE
Drew
One year later...
I’VE FINALLY CONVINCED Flynn to take a week off. It’s only taken me booking and rescheduling this holiday four times to get to this point, but I don’t care. He’s dedicated to his work, to making a difference in people’s lives. And the latest trials have kept him in the office for long, long hours. But there’s hope, progress. My man won’t stop until he’s done everything in his power to help people.
My man. Some days I still don’t believe that I get to say that.
And, to soften the blow, we’re flying first class, in one of those pods that is definitely going to aid my “lifetime fantasy” checklist. Mile-high club, here I come! Good thing I don’t know anyone who works for this airline. It was one of the reasons I declined the uber-cheap standby tickets my boss offered me.
I look over my suitcase, trying to think of anything I might have forgotten. Toothbrush, wide-tooth comb to get all the saltwater tangles out of my hair, Kindle stuffed full of smutty novels to give me some ideas for other things to add to our list.
Then I squint. Something looks amiss. I swear I had my lacy white beach cover-up sitting on top of my jean shorts. But now it sits in a neat little roll that has all the hallmarks of my type A “life is better with packing cubes” boyfriend.
“Flynn!” I crouch down and roll my eyes. “Stop repacking my suitcase!”
He does it all the time with my clothing. I toss a bunch of stuff into one of my drawers and he’ll go through and fold everything. Seriously, I wonder sometimes if he came out of the womb folding T-shirts.
Marie Kondo has nothing on Flynn.
Grumbling to myself, I reach for the neatly rolled piece of white fabric. I’ll pack my suitcase however the hell I please, thank you very much. But the second I unroll it, a little blue box pops out and I freeze. Holy shit. Is that what I think it is?
For a moment I can’t breathe. In the sunshine streaming through the bedroom window, the velvet shimmers as though it’s beckoning me. I reach out and brush my fingertip over the surface, feeling the pile soften under my touch.
Flynn hasn’t responded to my yelling, so I grab the box, debating whether or not to open it. Part of me knows a good partner would stash it back in its place and attempt to roll the beach cover-up as neatly as him. While I’ve been changed by loving him with my whole heart for the past twelve months, I’m still that person who tries to sneak a look at Christmas presents under the tree and ferrets out all his hiding spots in the week before my birthday.
Biting my lip, I open the box and gasp. The ring nestled inside features a huge stone, black as the ink Flynn uses with his fancy fountain pen. It’s an oval shape and the band has a collection of glittering diamonds hammered into it.
“I knew you would open it.” His amused voice sounds behind me and I jump so hard, I almost yelp. “Gabe tried to tell me it was dangerous to leave something in the suitcase because it might end up getting checked without you noticing. But I told him, ‘Don’t worry. I know my Drew—she’ll definitely find it.’”
“As if I would roll my clothes like that.” I sniff. But my false annoyance doesn’t mask the fact that I’m reeling. It’s a stunning ring in a velvet box and we’re going away on our first proper trip together...
“I guess I may as well do it now.” Flynn saunters toward me, his hips rolling in that way that still makes me weak at the knees. That I know will make me weak at the knees until the day I die. He drops down in front of me, bending one knee. “Melanie Drew Richardson, the last year has been the happiest of my life. You make me grow every day.”
The Fling--A Scorching Hot Romance Page 16
